Busker brings magic to markets
Coatesville teen Pippi Orr’s most precious possession isn’t a new pair of jeans, it’s her brand new electric ukulele.
The Coatesville and Browns Bay market regular has been playing ukulele since she was just four.
Her dad Lear Ivatt encouraged her to busk for the first time at the market in Masterton.
‘‘I had a little ukulele on the stall, and Pippi just picked it up and started playing with it,’’ he says. ‘‘She went and sat with it inside our van, and was just naturally singing and playing at the same time.
‘‘I said, ‘ Do you think you could do that just standing over here [outside the van]?’
‘‘So she did, and she started playing and singing, and I think the first person that came along threw in some money or a lolly.’’
Formerly a resident of Featherston, Pippi moved to Auckland in 2015 to study at Kristin School after being awarded an Aspire scholarship.
Earlier on in the year, she taught a five-week ukulele course at Sanders House in Paremoremo. She is also involved with her school’s choir and upcoming production of Shrek.
Since moving to Auckland, the 15-year-old normally busks most weekends at either the Browns Bay or Coatesville monthly market.
Coatesville market organiser Leanne Stathamberger says stallholders love being next to Pippi.
‘‘People just love her - there’s something about her that’s just quite magical.
‘‘I don’t know how to explain it, but she’s got it.’’
The whole family is musical, and Pippi says she often spends time jamming with her dad and brother. Between them, they play the ukulele, harmonica, guitar and drums.
Ivatt says his daughter has a ‘‘great ability to connect with people in a really natural way’’.
‘‘You can just tell that she loves [busking], and that just gets projected.
‘‘It’s just really nice to have in your day, to come across people who are passionate and creative and love doing what they do, and that just seems to sort of get spread around.’’
Pippi says busking is a great way to interact with people. ‘‘It’s not about making money or anything, it’s about enjoying what you’re doing and playing for people,’’ she says.